On July 20, the INSEC (Informal Sector Service Center) team conducted an on-site study of an incident in Birganj Metropolitan City 24, where a 70-year-old woman named Parvatiya Devi Ahir was beaten by Kashi Rawat Ahir, a 50-year-old woman, and her 25-year-old son Brajesh Yadav, who accused the victim of witchcraft.
During the on-site study, Parvatiya Devi, the victim, recounted that she was attacked while on her way to her animal shed. She stated that Durga Devi, Kashi’s 48-year-old wife is unwell, as a result of which he has been abusing her for several days, accusing her of being a witch. The victim also alleged that the accused also beat her 20-year-old grandson, Bibek Yadav, and broke his right hand, while his mother was beaten on July 12.
SP Deepak Giri of the District Police Office informed the INSEC team that a complaint was filed against Kashi Rawat Ahir and his son Brajesh Yadav for assaulting the elderly woman and her son. After the on-site investigation, the police determined Kashi and his son Brajesh Yadav as the accused. A complaint has been registered against them for indecent behavior. DSP Giri mentioned that there was a complaint from the accused party about a quarrel over garbage disposal.
Inspector Manisha Laundry, Head of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens Service Center under the District Police Office, dispatched an Assistant Sub-Inspector to conduct an on-site study to ascertain the facts of the incident following the complaint about witchcraft. The investigation is still ongoing.
Kashi Rawat Ahir, one of the accused, told the INSEC team that the conflict arose between the women over garbage disposal and denied beating them on the accusation of witchcraft.
The INSEC team monitoring the incident on the spot included members from the Human Rights Debate and Advocacy Program, the Central Office of INSEC, the Madhesh Province Coordinator, and a former INSEC Bara Representative.